French President Emmanuel will visit Paris Saint Germain on Sunday to congratulate them on their Champions League victory over Inter Milan, according to his office.
Macron praised a “day of glory for PSG” in a separate message on X. He wrote, “Bravo, we are all proud.” “Tonight, Paris is the heart of Europe.”
In the most unfavorable final in the competition’s history, PSG defeated Inter Milan 5-0 on Saturday to claim its first Champions League victory.
The Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and Inter Milan UEFA Champions League final football game took place on May 31, 2025 in Munich, southern Germany, with Paris Saint-Germain’s players celebrating with the trophy. (FRANCK FIFE/AFP photo)
In Munich’s Allianz Arena, teen Desire Doue scored twice and set up Achraf Hakimi’s opening goal, before Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, a substitute from the age of 19, Senny Mayulu, made it four.
After 12 minutes, PSG opened the scoring with a pass from Doue.
READ MORE: PSG Slays Inter Milan To Win First-Ever Champions League Title
Eight minutes later, when their defender Willian Pacho improbably prevented the ball from leaving the PSG end, Doue fired a deflected shot that evaded Inter goalkeeper Yann Sommer.
After Paris Saint-Germain’s (PSG) and Inter Milan’s (PSG) UEFA Champions League final football game on May 31, 2025, Qatar’s president Nasser al-Khelaifi (top R) celebrates with players and the trophy in Munich, southern Germany. (Photo by Kirill KUDRYAVTSEV/AFP)
Vitinha’s explosive run gave PSG the lead with a goal that made it 3-3. Before delivering a pass to Doue, who was 19 years old, who drilled the ball into the net, he exchanged passes with Ousmane Dembele.
Georgian international Kvaratskhelia’s outstanding low finish, before Mayulu completed a skillful passing move, put the match beyond doubt.
PSG, owned by Qatari players, are only the second French club to have won the top trophy in European football since Marseille in 1993.
In the most unfavorable final ever, Paris Saint-Germain defeated Inter Milan on Saturday to defeat them for the first time in their history thanks to teenager Desire Doue scoring twice in an astonishing 5-0 victory.
In the 20th minute, Achraf Hakimi’s deflected shot doubled PSG’s lead as the match began with Achraf Hakimi, who had previously played for his former club.
Before Khvicha Kvaratskhelia ran away for the fourth, and substitute Senny Mayulu made it five, Doue again just after the hour mark, putting an end to any doubt about the outcome.
On May 31, 2025, Paris Saint-Germain’s French forward #29 Bradley Barcola (2L) makes a run with the ball in front of Inter Milan’s Italian defender #95 Alessandro Bastoni (2R) in Munich, southern Germany’s UEFA Champions League final football game. (FRANCK FIFE/AFP photo)
The French club, who won the biggest final victory by any team in the European Cup and Champions League’s 70-year history, were simply unmatchable against Inter.
Five years after losing to Bayern Munich in their only previous final appearance, the Parisians are now celebrating their 10th anniversary with a significant investment from their Qatari owners.
Read more about Nigeria winning the Unity Cup by 5-4 after reading READ ALSO:
They are only the second French team to have won the biggest prize in European football, the league and cup, in 1993 when they defeated AC Milan in a final that was also held in Munich.
Paris Saint-Germain’s French midfielder #14 Desire Doue (R) celebrates with Paris Saint-Germain’s Portuguese midfielder #87 Joao Neves (C) and Paris Saint-Germain’s Spanish midfielder #08 Fabian Ruiz (L) after scoring PSG’s second goal in the UEFA Champions League final football game between Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and Inter Milan in Munich, southern Germany, on May 31, 2025. (FRANCK FIFE/AFP photo)
Luis Enrique, who won with Lionel Messi’s Barcelona ten years ago, has also won the second Champions League.
The best the competition has seen from a young PSG side since Kylian Mbappe’s departure, one that has been thoughtfully pieced together over the past two years and fully unleashed this season.
Teenager Doue, who delivered a masterclass just before he turns 20 on Tuesday, was undoubtedly the star of the evening.
On May 31, 2025, Paris Saint-Germain’s players celebrate their victory in the UEFA Champions League final football game between Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and Inter Milan in Munich, southern Germany. The Champions League was won by Paris Saint-Germain 5-0. (Photo by Kirill KUDRYAVTSEV/AFP)
Since Inter had already won three Champions League titles before, there was no other title for them since 2010.
The defeat comes a week after Napoli’s team lost to them in the final of the Serie A title, and Simone Inzaghi’s side have now reached the final twice in three seasons.
They leave the campaign trophyless, and they need to rebuild their aging backbone.
On May 31, 2025, Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and Inter Milan’s Argentine forward #10 Lautaro Martinez (C) reacts during the UEFA Champions League final football game in Munich, southern Germany. (Photo by Marco BERTORELLO/AFP)
Doue at the double
On a swelty night at the Allianz Arena, PSG gave their rivals no chance, and they led in the 12th minute.
Vitinha threw a pass to Doue, who was then forced to finish into the bottom of the net, before refusing to applaud his former club.
Additionally, it was the first time Inter had scored in a Champions League final since 2019 and the previous team had a strong history.
On May 31, 2025, Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and Inter Milan’s Argentine forward #10 Lautaro Martinez (C) reacts during the UEFA Champions League final football game in Munich, southern Germany. (Photo by Marco BERTORELLO/AFP)On May 31, 2025, Paris Saint-Germain’s players celebrate with the trophy following the Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and Inter Milan (PSG) final football game in Munich, southern Germany. (Photo by Kirill KUDRYAVTSEV/AFP)
The last final between Real Madrid and Real Madrid saw both teams score, in 2018, while Real Madrid was the last to concede the first goal and still prevail.
However, Inter quickly added a goal on a counterattack that extended their lead.
Inter was unable to convert a corner when Willian Pacho blocked Ousmane Dembele’s release, Kvaratskhelia, who made his clearance. Through a deflection off Federico Dimarco, his pass was found by Doue, who was the youngster who had been chosen to start alongside Bradley Barcola.
Marcus Thuram’s just-insane header at a corner only gave Inter a real chance to score in the first half, but things got worse after the break.
The Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and Inter Milan UEFA Champions League final football game took place on May 31, 2025 in Munich, southern Germany, with Paris Saint-Germain’s players celebrating with the trophy. (Photo by Kirill KUDRYAVTSEV/AFP)
Defender Yann Bisseck, who started for Benjamin Pavard early in the second half but limped off less than ten minutes later, sums up the night for Inzaghi’s side.
In the closing seconds of Dembele’s flick, Vitinha was released before the tiny Portuguese playmaker set up Doue to beat Sommer at his near post, PSG made it 3-0.
Soon after, Doue was applauded loudly, but his teammates were not done.
On May 31, 2025, Paris Saint-Germain supporters cheer on their team’s second goal as they watch the UEFA Champions League final football game between Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and Inter Milan on a large screen at Paris des Princes Stadium. (Photo: Thibaud MORITZ/AFP)
In the 73rd minute, Dembele sent Kvaratskhelia away to make it 4-0, and Mayulu, a 19-year-old player, combined on a one-two with Barcola before scoring a lashing in the fifth on 86 minutes.
PSG became the first team to reach the final five goals in a row since Benfica in 1962, which completed an incredible night.
Madison Keys overcame three match points to advance with fellow US women Coco Gauff, Jessica Pegula, and Hailey Baptiste, who is also a world number one, Jannik Sinner, who was followed by Alexander Zverev from last year’s French Open.
Novak Djokovic will face Filip Misolic, an Austrian qualifier, on Court Philippe Chatrier in a record-breaking 25th Grand Slam match.
But just before Inter Milan and Paris Saint-Germain’s opening game of European club football, Sinner was able to win the biggest prize, beating world number 34 Jiri Lehecka 6-0, 6-1, 6-2.
Read more about the Champions League Final Showdown between PSG and Inter Milan.
The top-seeding Italian said, “I think it’s good to spend less time on court in the early stages of Grand Slams,” if you have the chance.
There isn’t much I can do, in my opinion.
Andrey Rublev, who advanced after Frenchman Arthur Fils withdrew injured on Friday, will face three-time Grand Slam champion Sinner.
Sinner hasn’t stopped getting so hot since returning from a three-month doping ban, defeating Carlos Alcaraz, the reigning Roland Garros champion, in the Italian Open final.
The 23-year-old has now won 17 matches after winning the 2024 US Open and Australian Open in January, continuing his excellent form on clay in Paris where he has not lost a set.
Brazilian teenager Joao Fonseca defeated British fifth seed Jack Draper 6-2, 6-4, 6-2 to advance to the fourth round, where he will face Alexander Bublik.
Zverev is looking for a “happy end.”
German third seed Zverev defeated Hamburg champion Flavio Cobolli 6-1 to beat third-seeded Germany in the final last year.
Zverev remarked, “I definitely felt it on the court today. It was quite hot.
“But I’m glad to finish in three sets without wasting any more energy,” he continued.
“I think this court is very special.” Zverev, who suffered a bad ankle injury in the 2022 semi-finals against Rafael Nadal, said, “I had some of the best memories of my life on this court, but I also had some of the worst memories of my life on this court.
It’s a love story that hasn’t yet reached its happy ending, but I hope it will.
Fifth-seeded compatriot Sofia Kenin lost to Keys in the women’s tournament by 4-6, 6-3, and 7-5.
After Baptiste defeated Spain’s Jessica Bouzas Maneiro 7-6 (7 / 6) 6-1 earlier in the day, Keys will face another countrywomen in the following round.
Keys and Kenin made early breaks in the decider, but the reigning Australian Open champion broke the 31st seed at 5-5 before holding serve to watch the match through.
Before the world number eight turned the match round to make her place in the last 16, Kenin had led 3-0 in the third set and held three match points over Keys.
With a straight-sets victory over Czech Marie Bouzkova, world number two Gauff sealed her place in the same competition.
The 21-year-old defeated the world number 47 6-1, 7-6 (7/3), to move on to Ekaterina Alexandrova, the 20th seed, who defeated fellow Russian Veronika Kudermetova 6-2, 6-2.
With a 3-6, 6-4, and 6-2 victory over Czech Marketa Vondrousova, third seed Pegula defeated fellow Americans.
Pegula, the unheralded Lois Boisson, who is the final French player competing in Roland Garros, will face the unheralded Pegula, who finished second last year in the US Open.
Boisson and his team won 6-3, 0-6, 7-5 against 138th-ranked compatriot Elsa Jacquemot.
“Obviously, I’m going to have some crazy support,” Pegula said.
It will be enjoyable, I believe. It will be cool to participate in that.
Andreeva, 18, defeated Kazakh Yulia Putintseva 6-3, 6-1 to advance to the last 16.
Andreeva, the 17th-ranked Daria Kasatkina, and Andreeva, the sixth seed, defeated Putintseva in 78 minutes to set up a showdown.
After reversing her allegiance to her native Russia, Kasatkina, who is now playing for Australia, defeated Spanish 10th seed Paula Badosa 6-1, 7-5.
Andreeva won nine of the match’s final ten games after a sparse opening set.
The Russian said, “I’m happy that with every game I play, I feel better and better.
Once upon a time, names like Austin (Jay Jay) Okocha, Obafemi Martins, and Victor Ikpeba made headlines in Europe and at home. Today, a new crop of Nigerian players is making a name for themselves, following in the footsteps of these football greats. In the 2024/25 season, this fresh generation of stars lit up stadiums with goals, hoisted trophies, broke records, solidified their status, and etched their names into the history of their various clubs.
While Victor Osimhen’s heroics in Turkey have dominated conversations both at home and abroad, he is far from the only Nigerian player who made waves this campaign. Whether it is scoring goals, defending with grit, or dictating play from deeper positions, Nigerian players made the 2024/25 season unforgettable.
From England to Turkey, France to Belgium, Nigerian players have made their mark in major European leagues, putting the country’s football firmly in the spotlight.
Here are some of the most outstanding Nigerian footballers who delivered star performances for their clubs in the 2024/25 campaign:
Victor Osimhen, The Turkish Super Lig Star
File: X/@victorosimhen9
When Osimhen joined Turkish side Galatasaray on a season-long loan deal last summer, his talent was not in doubt, despite falling out of favour at Napoli. Few, however, expected him to hit the ground running — helping the Lions win the domestic double and becoming a fan favourite in the process.
The 26-year-old set and broke records in Turkey. He scored 25 goals in the Super Lig to win the Golden Boot as Galatasaray secured their 25th Turkish crown. With 36 goals in all competitions this season, Osimhen also broke Mario Jardel’s 24-year-old record for the most goals scored by a foreigner in the league.
Alex Iwobi, Fulham’s Ever-Reliable Midfielder
Fulham’s Mexican striker #07 Raul Jimenez (R) celebrates with Fulham’s Nigerian midfielder #17 Alex Iwobi (L) after scoring the opening goal during the English Premier League football match between Fulham and Arsenal at Craven Cottage in London on December 8, 2024. (Photo by JUSTIN TALLIS / AFP)
While Osimhen’s exploits dominated headlines, Nigerian talents were also influential in the Premier League. In England, Alex Iwobi was again outstanding this season, finishing as one of the most consistent performers in the top flight. The former Arsenal man played all 38 matches in the league. Iwobi did so in Everton colours in the 2022/23 season, becoming the first Super Eagle to reach that milestone twice after this season’s feat.
The 29-year-old midfielder scored nine goals and provided six assists for the Cottagers — his best contribution in a single campaign.
Calvin Bassey, A Fulcrum In Fulham’s Defence
Liverpool’s Egyptian striker #11 Mohamed Salah (L) vies with Fulham’s Italian-born Nigerian defender #03 Calvin Bassey (R) during the English Premier League football match between Fulham and Liverpool at Craven Cottage in London on April 6, 2025. (Photo by HENRY NICHOLLS / AFP)
As Iwobi was pulling the strings in the midfield, his national teammate, Calvin Bassey, enjoyed a similarly impressive season at the back for Marco Silva’s team. Defenders rarely get attention, but the 25-year-old Nigerian was a beacon in Fulham’s backline. He played 37 games this season for the West London club, 35 of them coming in the Premier League. Bassey scored twice —once in the league and once in the FA Cup. His goal against Manchester United in the FA Cup — Fulham won 4-3 on penalties in that fifth-round tie — will be remembered for a long time.
Ola Aina: Forest’s Defending And Attacking Weapon
Meanwhile, at Nottingham Forest, Aina’s defensive dexterity and attacking flair helped them from relegation fighters into — at some point this season —title contenders.
Aina was at the heart of the transformation for Nuno Espirito Santo’s men. His solidity was key as Forest secured qualification for the Europa League. The versatile defender played 35 league matches in the 2024/25 term, scoring twice and providing one assist. In total, he featured in 37 games, helping power Nottingham to one of their most successful seasons. The Conference League qualification was Forest’s first European ticket since 1996.
Dessers Delivers Goals In Glasgow
Beyond the Premier League, Nigerian footballers also excelled in other parts of Europe. One of the season’s standout performers was Cyriel Dessers. Quietly impressive, Dessers netted 29 goals in all competitions — 18 of them in the Scottish Premier League for Rangers.
The 30-year-old Nigerian featured in 55 matches and finished as the league’s top scorer, even though Rangers ended a distant second behind champions Celtic.
Chiamaka Nnadozie Heroics In Paris
The Nigerian impact this season was not limited to men’s football;Super Falcons’ safe pair of hands, Chiamaka Nnadozie, worked wonders between the sticks for Paris FC in France, helping them win a title that had eluded them for almost two decades. She was the heroine as the club won the Coupe de France Feminine, beating rivals Paris Saint-Germain 5-4 on penalties.
Nnadozie saved two penalties in the shootout, delivering Paris FC’s first major trophy since 2005. Her performances included 12 clean sheets in 23 matches and earned her a second consecutive appearance in the Arkema Premiere Ligue Team of the Season.
Uche Christantus, Nigeria’s Breakout Star in Spain
Another rising star who made waves in Europe was Uche Christantus. From playing in the third tier in Spain to being rated among La Liga’s standout midfielders, the Nigerian playmaker enjoyed a breakout campaign with Getafe.
Described as rugged and street-smart by fans and pundits, the highly rated Nigerian midfielder scored four goals and provided seven assists in 38 matches across all competitions for Azulones. Uche’s performances earned him multiple Team of the Week nods.
Expectedly, his fine form led to a national call-up. Though he missed the Unity Cup in London, he will be expected to feature in future Super Eagles games as Nigeria gear up for World Cup qualification and the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
Anas Yusuf: Domestic League Hero
Not all Nigerian stars ply their trade abroad — back home in the Nigerian Premier Football League (NPFL) — a goal king made his mark.
Deadly on setpieces, Anas Yusuf was a nightmare for defenders and was an unstoppable force for Nasarawa United this season. The powerful forward scored 18 goals with two assists for the Solid Miners, becoming the first player to score a hat-trick in the NPFL this campaign.
Although his team finished 12th on the log, “The Chairman,” as Anas is fondly called, earned the Golden Boot and added his name to the storied books of Nigerian league legends.
Tolu Arokodare: The Lanky Goal Poacher Who Took Belgium By Storm
Meanwhile, Super Eagles new boy Tolu Arokodare had a standout season in Belgium, his contributions for Genk earning him the top scorer award. The Nigerian forward scored 21 times and provided five assists in 30 league appearances to win the coveted prize in the Jupiler League. Arokodare is with Nigeria in London where they are featuring in the Unity Cup. He made his debut earlier in the year with the Super Eagles in a match against Rwanda in a 2026 World Cup qualification match.
The lanky forward is already attracting interest from top clubs in Europe.
Inter Milan and Paris Saint-Germain clash in the Champions League final on Saturday, with the French side hoping to win the first-ever title while the Italians are looking to win their fourth.
An experienced Inter will face a PSG team that is making their second final since the transformative Qatari takeover of the club in 2011, which will take place at Bayern Munich’s 75, 000-capacity Allianz Arena at 9:00 pm (15:00 GMT).
Whoever wins will become the champions of Real Madrid, and the excitement is high once more in Paris.
More than 5, 000 police officers will be stationed throughout the city to prevent trouble and watch 40, 000 people watch on large screens at PSG’s Parc des Princes.
A contest between one of the continent’s old guard and one of the state-owned modern superclubs will be the venue for a mouthwatering clash of opposing styles and ideas of how to build a team.
PSG has never won the Champions League, despite massive expenditures, with their closest match-winning goal coming in 2020.
Despite having Kylian Mbappe and Neymar up front, they lost to Bayern in Lisbon during the pandemic, behind closed doors.
They failed to win the trophy until Lionel Messi’s arrival in 2021, and Mbappe followed them out of the exit door with a brilliant run to Munich.
On the eve of Inter Milan’s (PSG) UEFA Champions League final football game against Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) in Munich, southern Germany, on May 30, 2025, the image shows the UEFA Champions League trophy during the MD-1 training session. (FRANCK FIFE/AFP photo)
“Do something historic”
The club’s captain Marquinhos said on Friday, “We have had great times and difficult times, but we have a glorious opportunity to do something remarkable and historic for this club.”
An exciting young Parisian side has recently blown Europe by storm under the direction of Luis Enrique, whose comeback victory in January against 2023 champions Manchester City serves as the catalyst.
In order to reach the final, PSG have since defeated three more Premier League teams, including Arsenal, Liverpool, Aston Villa, and PSG, and have since doubled their French league and cup winnings.
With 33 goals, Ousmane Dembele has been their star player, but Gianluigi Donnarumma and former Inter full-back Achraf Hakimi and Italian goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma have also excelled.
Luis Enrique, who is aiming to win his second Champions League after ten years of dominating Barcelona, said, “My main motivation is to make history for Paris and give the club and the city something to celebrate.”
With a victory for PSG, PSG would become only the second French team to win the championship, surpassing Marseille in 1993 when they defeated Inter’s city rivals AC Milan at the old Olympic Stadium in Munich.
Before the UEFA Champions League final football match between Inter Milan and Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), which takes place on May 31, 2025, Paris Saint-Germain supporters cheer in Munich, southern Germany. (FRANCK FIFE/AFP photo)
Italian knowledge
When Jose Mourinho’s side defeated Bayern in 2010, Inter were the last Italian champions. In the 1960s, they also won it twice in a row.
When the Nerazzurri reached the championship match two years ago and lost to City, coach Simone Inzaghi was already in charge.
Eight of the Istanbul team’s original starting lineup could start over here, and a veteran line-up should feature three players over the age of 36.
Inzaghi’s team defeated Barcelona in a dramatic tie in the final four, while Bayern advanced to the quarter-finals.
Nicolo Barella, a midfielder, said, “We produced a top-class performance last time against Manchester City, but we didn’t win. This time, we hope to be a little more switched on.”
The team just lost to Napoli for the Serie A title, but “we will try to bring home the trophy, that is the dream for all of us,” Barella, whose side, according to Barella, has just finished third behind them in terms of points.
Lautaro Martinez, the competition’s skipper, said, “We have earned respect.”
“We have worked very hard to get here, and now we have a chance to accomplish this goal that Inter have been pursuing for 15 years.”
The message reads “Go Paris” in French! on the eve of Paris Saint-Germain’s UEFA Champions League final against Inter Milan in Paris on May 30, 2025, is displayed on the Eiffel Tower’s first flour in support of the football team. (Photo: Thibaud MORITZ/AFP)
It is, unsurprisingly, the teams’ first competitive game.
Whoever wins will receive prizes worth more than 100 million euros ($113.35 million) from UEFA.
Back in Paris fanzones have been set up at three locations besides PSG’s stadium as supporters descend into the German city.
Following PSG’s last-four victory against Arsenal, there was a high level of violence, and a leading supporters’ group called for any fan celebrations on Saturday to be avoided.
The Paris Ultras Collective (CUP) urged people to “maintain pride and act in anexemplary way, regardless of whether the outcome is an explosion of joy or a lesson learned.”
